Italy pushes for interoperable digital health records

A new OECD report stresses that health‑system interoperability – the ability of different IT systems to exchange patient data securely and instantly – is essential for better care, reduced waste and higher patient safety. The analysis notes that many countries, including Italy, are investing heavily in digital health, with initiatives such as the national Electronic Health Record (Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico) and regional portals that aim to create unified patient files.

Despite progress, the report highlights persistent obstacles: disparate software platforms still fail to communicate, privacy and security requirements remain stringent, and robust governance—including digital identity, role‑based access and informed consent—is needed to ensure data are shared safely. Open standards such as FHIR and vocabularies like SNOMED CT are recommended to avoid vendor lock‑in and to support seamless data exchange across hospitals, primary‑care doctors, labs and insurers.